birding-aus
Dear all,
It's a pity there isn't some way of tackling the problem at a national
level, rather than lobbying every regional division of every
manufacturer. I think public education is very important, and of course
this applies to the whole hazardous rubbish problem.
I would like to mention a few more observations and thoughts on Satin
Bowerbirds and their choice of decorations. I have seen bowers in remote
parts of the Newnes Plateau which contained nothing but natural items:
mainly blue tail and wing feathers from Crimson Rosellas, flowers and
leaves. I reckon when our junk came along, the "lucky" bowerbirds living
close to civilization must have thought all their Christmases had come
at once, with a great selection of variously shaped and hued objects to
choose from. And unlike flowers and berries, plastic doesn't wilt and
fade and constantly need to be replaced. There are a few bowers close to
picnic areas in the Blue Mountains which are a most impressive sea of
blue. Probably hundreds of plastic objects there.
Regarding the choice of yellow. I agree that Satin Bowerbirds are fussy
in their choice of colours and that they are particularly fond of pale
greenish-yellow, as well as yellowish-brown. My own local bower contains
onion skins, pieces of sponge and straw. However they are certainly not
indifferent to bright yellow. I have often seen bowers containing bright
yellow wattle and other flowers and yellow feathers (especially the
crest feathers of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos). Hence my wondering about
the yellow rings. Yet yellow plastic, from what I have seen, is used
only rarely. I guess you're right Ian about the "garishly meretricious
yellow plastics".
On last count, my local bower contained, among other things, 12 blue
milk bottle rings (fortunately all broken), many blue straws and pens, a
few purple objects and interestingly, one green drinking straw which was
relegated to the perimeter of the bower, but nevertheless part of it.
Regards, Carol
Carol Probets
Katoomba NSW
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